VARIATIONS IN LOG QUALITY OF EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD Toona ciliata M. Roem.

Abstract

The family Meliaceae contains the most valuable timber species found in tropical regions. However, plantation of such species in their natural range is limited by damages from shoot borers of the genus Hypsipyla. Nevertheless, specifically in Brazil, the commercial cultivation of Australian cedar (Toona ciliata) has been successful for presenting a satisfactory vegetative growth, adapting to the Brazilian soil and climate, but especially for being resistant to the cedar shoot borer attacks. In spite of these favorable conditions, the majority of existing T.ciliata commercial plantations is still recent and little is known about the log quality destined for timber industries. In this sense, the present work aims at qualifying logs of 18 years old trees, with dimensions fit for sawing and grown on plantations for timber industries. From the data gathered it will be possible to assess the variability between trees in order to define forest management strategies and of breed improvements for the species. It was used eighteen years old trees from the city of Marechal Floriano – Espírito Santo state. The logs were previously measured and their defects were evaluated afterwards and from which, the trees were classified. The classification showed that the most significant defects were knots and bumps and the least pronounced defect was the log taper. The trees showed significant variations regarding the defects, suggesting the need for breeding programs in association with improved forest management practices.